China's top diplomat has slammed protectionism and warns that Beijing will reciprocate if the US acts in "bad faith" in trade negotiations.
Speaking to the UN general assembly in New York, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says Beijing is committed to resolving trade frictions "in a calm, rational and co-operative manner".
"Should the other side act in bad faith, or show no respect for equal status or rules in negotiations, we will have to make necessary responses to safeguard our legitimate rights and interests, and to uphold international justice," he said on Friday.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi addresses the General Debate of the 74th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. Source: EPA
Wang bashed unilateralism and protectionism, saying they are posing major threats to the international order.
He added that tariffs and "provocation of trade disputes" could even plunge the world into recession.
Wang did not directly refer to Washington or US President Donald Trump, who launched a trade war with Beijing a year ago that has faced several failed negotiation attempts.
US President Donald J Trump. Source: EPA
Trump on Tuesday blasted China's economic policies in front of the world body, raising further questions about the talks' odds of success.
Economic data released last week by Beijing showed sluggish growth across sectors, as the world's second-largest economy slows down under pressure from the trade dispute.
